While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Aug 16, 2025
Putin, Trump discuss Ukraine's fate in Alaska
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met face-to-face in Alaska on Aug 15 in a high-stakes summit that could determine whether a ceasefire can be reached in the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.
Ahead of the talks, Mr Trump greeted the Russian leader on a red carpet on the tarmac at a US Air Force base.
The two shook hands warmly and touched each other on the arm before riding in Mr Trump's limousine to the summit site nearby.
There, the two presidents sat with their respective delegations in their first meeting since 2019.
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Zelensky says Russia continues attacking Ukraine
SCREENSHOT, PHOTO: X
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug 15 Russia was continuing to attack Ukraine ahead of a summit in Alaska between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, but its attempt to 'show strength' with a new assault in the east had failed.
'On the day of the negotiations, they also kill people. And that says a lot,' Mr Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app. 'The war continues. It continues precisely because there is no order, nor any indication that Moscow is preparing to end this war,' he added.
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Earlier, Ukrainian regional officials said Russia had launched a ballistic missile into Dnipropetrovsk region in eastern Ukraine, killing one person and wounding at least one other, while a drone damaged civilian infrastructure and caused a fire in Sumy region in the north-east.
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One killed, several injured after train derails in Denmark
AFP
One person was killed and several people were injured when a train hit a vehicle and derailed in southern Denmark on Aug 15, Danish police said.
Pictures from the scene showed that a carriage had been torn from the train and was lying on the side, Danish TV2 reported.
Police said that of the 95 people on board the train, one was killed, and several were injured, of whom two were carried away by helicopter, the police of Southern Jutland region of Denmark said in a press release.
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Minister pays visit to jailed Palestinian leader
Israel's far-right national security minister visited prominent Palestinian Marwan Barghouti in jail and told him 'you will not win', a video showed on Aug 15, a day after another hardline Cabinet member vowed to 'bury' the idea of a Palestinian state.
Security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared the video on his X account, also telling Barghouti - a potential unifying figure among Palestinians who has been jailed for more than two decades - that anyone who threatens Israel would be eliminated.
The prison visit took place earlier this week but became public after ultra-nationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Aug 14 that work would start on a settlement that would bisect the West Bank and further cut it off from East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as a capital for a future state.
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Liverpool win 4-2 in thrilling season opener
PHOTO: AFP
Liverpool talisman Mo Salah and fellow forward Federico Chiesa struck late goals as the Premier League champions began the defence of their title by beating Bournemouth 4-2 in a thriller on the opening night of the season at Anfield on Aug 15.
On a bittersweet evening charged with emotion after the July death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, newcomer Hugo Ekitike bagged a goal on his league debut to put the hosts ahead after 37 minutes and Cody Gakpo doubled the lead in the 49th.
But Antoine Semenyo, who was the target of racist abuse in the first half that led to a pause in the game, pulled one back for the visitors in the 64th minute and completed a double 12 minutes later to rock Liverpool and shock the home fans.
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Hamas rejects Israel's Gaza relocation plan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Palestinians, displaced by the Israeli offensive, shelter in a tent camp as the Israeli military prepares to relocate residents to southern Gaza, in Gaza City August 17, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas CAIRO - Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Sunday that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands of residents in the area. The group said the planned deployment of tents and other shelter equipment by Israel into southern Gaza was a "blatant deception". The Israeli military has said it is preparing to provide tents and other equipment starting from Sunday ahead of its plan to relocate residents from combat zones to the south of the enclave "to ensure their safety". Hamas said in a statement that the deployment of tents under the guise of humanitarian purposes is a blatant deception intended to "cover up a brutal crime that the occupation forces prepare to execute". Israel said earlier this month that it intended to launch a new offensive to seize control of northern Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban centre. The plan has raised international alarm over the fate of the demolished strip, which is home to about 2.2 million people. The war began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. About 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are believed to be still alive. Israel's subsequent military assault against Hamas has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says. It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced most of Gaza's population and left much of the enclave in ruins. REUTERS
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NDR 2025: Govt to strengthen partnership with Chinese community, which played key role in nation-building
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Government will strengthen its partnership with the community, so that its groups and associations can stay vibrant and continue to contribute to society. Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Singaporeans' strong sense of national identity today is due in part to the Chinese community's significant contributions in the early years of nation-building, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 17. Moving forward, the Government will strengthen its partnership with the community, so that its groups and associations can stay vibrant and continue to contribute to society, he added in his Mandarin National Day Rally speech. PM Wong noted that in the colonial days, many successful Chinese leaders and businessmen donated money and resources generously, which helped lay a strong foundation for Singapore's development. These leaders founded clans and other associations, built schools and hospitals, and established welfare organisations, which benefitted Singaporeans of all races. The community also took it upon itself almost a century ago to champion a local identity and cultivate a sense of belonging to Singapore through school textbooks, by injecting elements of Nanyang culture to replace teaching materials from China and Hong Kong. This had a profound impact on the development of post-independence Singapore, said PM Wong. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: New Islamic college campus will be in Rochor, students can take courses at SUSS next door Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Singapore She won big in Genting, but getting $240k winnings back to Singapore was dicey Singapore Buying hope: Inside S'pore's love affair with the lottery Life Stefanie Sun makes emotional concert return to Taiwan, where she made her debut Singapore Motorcyclist dies after multi-vehicle collision on TPE 'It not only enabled us to build confidence and pride in our own cultural identity, but also laid the groundwork for the Chinese community to support policies that fostered a multi-racial and multi-cultural Singapore,' he added. Today, Chinese Singaporeans have their own sense of identity, and never forget they are Singaporeans even if they are miles away from home, noted PM Wong. Many schools founded by the Chinese community have also evolved their mission to nurture bilingual and bicultural talent for Singapore. He also commended Chinese language teachers for having worked tirelessly to nurture generations of the country's leaders, and that he will be attending an event organised by Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao in September to honour these teachers. In May, PM Wong appointed Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat to lead the Chinese Community Liaison Group , which was set up in 2000 to deepen the Government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and to strengthen their own cooperation. The prime minister said on Aug 17 that Mr Chee and his team had started their work, and noted that many clan associations are facing challenges in leadership renewal and resource constraints. 'We will help them overcome these challenges and keep them vibrant, so that they can continue to contribute to society,' said PM Wong. An SFCCA Luncheon with the Chairman of Chinese Community Liaison Group, Minister Chee Hong Tat (centre, in red) on June 13. PHOTO: SINGAPORE FEDERATION OF CHINESE CLAN ASSOCIATIONS This includes launching a new training programme to systematically nurture the next generation of community leaders, as well as working with associations to continue helping new immigrants to integrate. Zooming out, PM Wong said Singaporeans are understandably anxious about their livelihoods given today's more unpredictable world, with US tariffs putting the global economy under tremendous pressure and growing tensions between the US and China. The authorities are doing their best to help business find new opportunities, while reducing cost-of-living pressures through measures like CDC and SG60 vouchers , he said. For instance, a family of four adults can receive more than $3,000 worth of vouchers in 2025. More support has also been rolled out for families with young children, he noted. This included the Large Families Scheme PM Wong announced at Budget 2025, which gives parents up to $16,000 in additional support for each third and subsequent child born on or after Feb 18. PM Wong noted that after the vouchers were rolled out, many durian sellers swiftly put up posters to announce that they could be used to buy Mao Shan Wang durians, and that the media reported that one couple even spent $800 worth of vouchers on durians in a single purchase. 'I know many people love durians - I like them too,' he said. 'However, after satisfying your durian cravings, please don't forget to save some vouchers for your daily essentials.' He stressed that the vouchers are not a permanent solution, and that Singapore ultimately has to adjust its economic strategies to meet a changed world. PM Wong noted that after the vouchers were rolled out, many durian sellers swiftly put up posters to announce that they could be used to buy Mao Shan Wang durians PHOTO: MDDI The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, is studying strategies to keep Singapore competitive, he noted. 'We have only one goal, and that is to create good jobs for Singaporeans, so as to continue raising our incomes and living standards,' he said. As the international situation grows more unpredictable, PM Wong said the city-state must act decisively to forge a new path forward. While the Government will roll out more initiatives to build a better home for all, true success can only be achieved if Singaporeans brave the challenges together, sharing weal and woe, he said. He cited a Hokkien song, A Little Umbrella, which was about two people sharing a little umbrella in the rain. 'While there will be stormy weather on the road ahead, I firmly believe that we will look out for one another, weather the storms together and usher in a new era as one,' he said. 'Our future will be challenging, but it is also promising.' Watch PM Wong's National Day Rally speech here:
Straits Times
37 minutes ago
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European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox - European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington on Aug 18 seeking an end to Moscow's invasion, after US President Donald Trump dropped his push for a ceasefire following his Alaska summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, more than three years after the Kremlin ordered the invasion, had been one of Mr Trump's core demands before the summit, to which Ukraine and its European allies were not invited. But after a meeting that yielded no clear breakthrough, Mr Trump ruled out an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine – a move that would appear to favour Mr Putin, who has long argued for negotiations on a final peace deal. Ukraine and its European allies have criticised it as a way to buy time and press Russia's battlefield advances, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen among the leaders set to try and bend Mr Trump's ear on the matter. Ahead of the Washington visit on Aug 18, Dr von der Leyen said on X she would welcome Mr Zelensky for a meeting in Brussels on Aug 17 which other European leaders would join by video call, before accompanying the Ukrainian leader on his US trip at his 'request' with 'other European leaders'. The German government confirmed Mr Merz was among those other European leaders, and would try to emphasise 'interest in a swift peace agreement in Ukraine'. Finland said its president, Mr Alexander Stubb, would also travel to Washington. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: Govt to strengthen partnership with Chinese community, which played key role in early nation-building Singapore NDR 2025: New Islamic college campus will be in Rochor, students can take courses at SUSS next door Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Singapore She won big in Genting, but getting $240k winnings back to Singapore was dicey Singapore Buying hope: Inside S'pore's love affair with the lottery Life Stefanie Sun makes emotional concert return to Taiwan, where she made her debut Singapore Motorcyclist dies after multi-vehicle collision on TPE Mr Trump briefed Mr Zelensky and European leaders on his flight back from Alaska to Washington, saying afterwards that 'it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement which would end the war'. Ceasefire agreements 'often times do not hold up', Mr Trump added on his Truth Social platform. But Mr Zelensky has appeared unconvinced by the change of tack, saying on Aug 16 that it 'complicates the situation'. If Moscow lacks 'the will to carry out a simple order to stop the strikes, it may take a lot of effort to get Russia to have the will to implement far greater – peaceful coexistence with its neighbours for decades', he said on social media. 'Harsh reality' Mr Trump expressed support during his call with Mr Zelensky and European leaders for a proposal by Mr Putin to take full control of two largely Russian-held Ukrainian regions in exchange for freezing the front line in two others, an official briefed on the talks told AFP. Mr Putin 'de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas', an area consisting of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine, the source said. In exchange, Russian forces would halt their offensive in the Black Sea port region of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, where the main cities are still under Ukrainian control. Several months into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia in September 2022 claimed to have annexed all four Ukrainian regions even though its troops still do not fully control any of them. 'The Ukrainian President refused to leave Donbas,' the source said. Mr Trump notably also said the United States was prepared to provide Ukraine security guarantees, an assurance Mr Merz hailed as 'significant progress'. But there was a scathing assessment of the summit outcome from the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas, who accused Mr Putin of seeking to 'drag out negotiations' with no commitment to end the bloodshed. 'The harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war any time soon,' Ms Kallas said. Zelensky back in White House The main diplomatic focus now switches to Mr Zelensky's talks at the White House on Aug 18. The Ukrainian President's last Oval Office visit in February ended in an extraordinary shouting match, with Mr Trump and US Vice-President J.D. Vance publicly berating Mr Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for US aid. In an interview with broadcaster Fox News after his sit-down with Mr Putin, Mr Trump had suggested that the onus was now on Mr Zelensky to secure a peace deal as they work towards an eventual trilateral summit with Mr Putin. 'It's really up to President Zelensky to get it done,' Mr Trump said. European pressure In an earlier statement, European leaders welcomed the plan for a Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit, but added that they would maintain pressure on Russia in the absence of a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine raged on, with both Kyiv and Moscow launching attack drones at each other on Aug 17. Back in Moscow, Mr Putin said his summit talks with Trump had been 'timely' and 'very useful'. In his post-summit statement in Alaska, Mr Putin had warned Ukraine and European countries not to engage in any 'behind-the-scenes intrigues' that could disrupt what he called 'this emerging progress'. AFP
